Cutting plate for a dry-shaving apparatus



March 25, 1952 K. R. HOFLAND CUTTING PLATE FOR A DRY-SHAVING APPARATUS Filed March 11, 1948 1A! 'EN TOR.

KAREL Remou'r HM H13 BY 5g GENT Patented Mar. 25, 1952 CUTTING PLATE FOR A DRY-SHAVING APPARATUS Karel Reinout Hofland, Eindhoven, Netherlands, assignor to Hartford National Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Conn., as trustee Application March 11, 1948, Serial No. 14,305 In the Netherlands April 9, 1947 7 Claims.

The invention relates to a cutting plate for a dry-shaving apparatus.

The invention has for its object to perfect such a cutting plate, notably as far as the cutting properties and/or the probability of catching the hairs are concerned so as to result in a shorter shaving time by enlargement of the shaving surface already in existence and/or by ready exchange of the type of cutting plate or as far as the possibility of use for parts of the skin which are diflicult of access or for which the shape and construction of the cutting plate have to satisfy particular requirements.

The cutting plate according to the invention is characterized in that it is provided with a second cutting plate which is made axially integral with the first-mentioned cutting plate by means of a readily detachable connection.

The measure affords a great number of possibilities in view of the object aimed at by the invention and has the advantage that the initial cutting plate need not be removed when the second cutting plate is being placed in position.

Since the two cutting plates are arranged to be coaxial, the cutting member of the second cutting plate is adapted to be driven in a simple manner, either via the cutting member of the first-mentioned cutting plate or directly by the main driving shaft.

The use of the invention permits, 'without the need for further means, of arranging the second cutting plate with its cutting member in such manner that the contact between the cutting member and the subjacent cutting plate is removed, so that unnecessary wear is avoided.

This is explained more fully with reference to Fig. 1.

According to a further feature of the invention, a cutting plate (known per se from the Netherlands Specification 54,862) comprising a centrally arranged depression and a number of slits extending from the outer edge of the cutting plate to the central depression has the second cutting plate secured in the central depression, which is provided with a central aperture for the driving means of the cutting member associated with the second cutting plate.

same plane as the shaving surface of the initial cutting plate. The part occupied by the central depression is thus also made to serve for the shaving process. Its ease of exchange permits the second cutting plate of being readily placed in position or removed.

By constituting the second cutting plate by a small apertured hood of slightly convex shape known per se the advantages of such a hood may also be utilised. These advantages may reside in the cutting properties, in the cutting speed and in simple and cheap manufacture (for example by punching) If, for certain reason, it is not desired to use the second cutting plate, the latter may be detached so as to permit of the known cutting plate alone being used for shaving.

In other cases it may be desirable to shape the second cutting plate into a form such that parts of theskin which are diflicult of access, for example near the nostrils and ear holes, are accessible. In this case a second cutting plate in the form of a comparatively long suitably apertured cylinder will be effective.

If desired the second cutting plate may be constituted by a cutting plate of different type which is positioned so as to extend over the initial cutting plate, so that only the second cutting plate is used for shaving. For shaving with one or the other of the cutting plates all that need be done is place the one cutting plate in position or remove it.

In the use of the second cutting plate, a system having a rotary cutting member or a cutting member oscillating about a shaft, such as may be used with the initial cutting plate, is not ob ligatory. It is readily possible to use a known system comprising an elongated cutting plate and a reciprocating cutting member which is actuated by a projecting lug eccentrically seated on the driving shaft.

The second cutting plate is preferably combined with the associated cutting member to form a unit.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and readily carried into effect, it-

will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which embodiments thereof are shown, by way of example, in the diagrammatic figures.

Fig. 1 shows a cutting plate according to the invention, the initial cutting plate being fully covered by the second cutting plate.

Fig. 2 shows a cutting plate according to the invention which is provided with a second cutting plate so as to enlarge the cutting surface.

Fig. 3 shows a second cutting plate of particular shape convenient for parts of the skin which are diificult of access, and Fig. 4. is a detail view of Fig. 3.

Fig. finally shows a further type of cutting plate comprising a reciprocating cutting member arranged to cover the initial cutting plate with its rotary cutting member.

Fig. 1 shows a known cutting plate I provided with slits 2, a central depression 3 and a rotary cutting member 4, which is operated by the motor shaft 5 by means of two studs. The cutting plate I is surrounded, also in known manner, by an annular member 6, which serves, inter alia, as a protective edge. With the use of this member the cutting plate I is secured to the motor housing I by means of screw thread 8. A second cutting plate 9, also known per se, of slightly convex shape and provided with circular shaving apertures is afiixed to the annular member 6 by pinching. Arranged on the inner side of this cutting plate is a plate-shaped cutting member II, which is secured in a slit of a coupling spindle I2. The coupling spindle exhibits two apertures l3 which are adapted to receive the two protruding studs I4 of the driving shaft 5. Positioning of the second cutting plate 9 with the cutting member Ii and the coupling spindle I2 results in the driving shaft 5 being shifted downwards against the pressure of a small spring I5, so that the cutting member I I is urged against the cutting plate 9. This shift of the shaft 5 has also the effect of bringing the cutting member 4 out of contact with cutting plate I, so that unnecessary frictional losses are avoided.

By removing the cutting plate 9 and the cutting member II with the coupling spindle I2, the initial conditions are restored and shaving may directly be effected with the cutting plate I.

Fig. 2 again shows the known cutting plate I provided with slits 2, a central depression 3 and a rotary cutting member 4, which is actuated by the motor shaft 5. The central depression 3 contains, secured by means of a readily detach able coarse screw thread IS, a second shaving head H, which is provided with an apertured cutting plate I8. The screw thread I6 is arranged so as to be right-handed or left-handed in such manner that the second shaving head I! is screwed tightly due to the rotary movement of the cutting member I9, so that, in spite of the use of the coarse thread, the second shaving head is I prevented from becoming detached by vibration.

The plate-shaped cutting member I9 is seated in a slot of the coupling spindle and is urged against the cutting plate I8 by a blade spring 2I supported in this spindle. By its annular part 22 this spindle bears on the bottom of the shaving head I1 and has, at the end, a square aperture 23 which is adapted to receive the projecting end of the square part 24 of the main shaft 5.

This permits of the second cutting plate I8 combined with the cutting member I!) to form a unit being readily removed or placed in position at will.

Fig. 3 shows a second cutting plate 25 of a different type shaped into the form of an elongated cylinder having a small diameter of not more than 10 mm., for example for shaving parts of the skin which are difiicult of access. The cutting plate 25 is provided with a plurality of slits 26 extending radially along the side of the cylindrical cutting plate and axially along the end thereof. Components corresponding to those of Fig. 2 are indicated in Fig. 3 by the same reference numerals, so that they will not be explained again. In contradistinction to the form shown 4 in Fig. 2, the annular part 22 of the coupling spindle 20 shown in Fig. 3 bears on a separate bearing 2! provided in the cutting plate 25.

Furthermore, in order to show the various possibilities, the latter is coupled with the cutting plateI in a manner different from that shown in Fig. 2, to wit by means of three feet 28, which are pinched in an aperture 29 of a shape as shown in Fig. 4 by revolution to the extent of a quarter turn. For cleaning the space inside the cutting plate 25 provision may be made of blowingthrough apertures 30. If desired, as an alternative, the bearing 21 may be detached, so as to permit of the coupling spindle together with the blade spring 2I and the cutting member I9 being removed.

Fig. 5 is a, plan view of a further embodiment, in which use is made of a second cutting plate 3| of elongated shape with a reciprocating cutting member, the bottom of which is designated 32, said cutting plate being arranged over the initial cutting plate I. The cutting member 32 is actuated in known manner by means of an elongated aperture 33 and a stud 34 eccentrically seated on the main shaft 5. The cutting plate 3| is provided with slits 35. Also in this case use is made of a readily detachable attachment (not shown) of the cutting plate 32 to the cutting plate I.

What I claim is:

1. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member, a, first cutting plate mounted on said housing and having an annular cutting surface, said cutting plate being provided with a central aperture, a first rotatable cutter member engaging said cutting plate and a rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second cutting assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly, said second cutting assembly comprising a second cutting plate, a second cutting member engaging said second cutting plate and means engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

2. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member, a first cutting plate mounted on said housing provided with a central cavity and radially extending slits defining an annular cutting surface, said cutting plate being provided with a central aperture at the cavity portion thereof, a first rotatable cutter member engaging the annular cutting surface of said cutting plate and a rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second cutting assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly in said cavity, said second cutting assembly comprising a second cutting plate, a second cutter member engaging said second cutting plate and means engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

3. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member, a first cutting plate mounted on said housing and provided with a central cavity and radially extending slits defining an annular cutting surface, said cutting plate being provided with a central aperture at the cavity portion thereof, a first rotatable cutter member engaging the annular cutting surface of said cutting plate and a rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second cutting 5 assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly in said cavity, said second cutting assembly comprising a second cutting plate having substantially cup-shaped tubular body portion axially extending from said cavity, a second cutter member extending into said body portion and engaging said second cutting plate and a second spindle member engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

4. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member, a first cutting plate mounted on said housing and having an annular cutting surface, said cutting plate being provided with a central aperture, a first rotatable cutter member engaging said cutting plate and a, rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second cutting assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly, said second cutting assembly comprising a second cutting plate enclosing said first cutting plate, a second cutter member interposed between said first and second cutting plates and engaging said second cutting plate and means engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

5. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member having an annular edge portion, a first cutting plate mounted on said housing within said annular portion and having an annular cutting surface, said cutting plate being provided with a central aperture, a first rotatable cutter member engaging said cutting plate and a rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second cutting assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly, said second cutting assembly comprising a second cup-shaped cutting plate enclosing said first cutting plate and mounted on said annular edge portion, a second cutter member interposed between said first and second cutting plates and engaging said second cutting plate, and a second spindle member engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

6. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member, a first cutting plate mounted on said housing and having an annular cutting surface, said cutting plate being provided with a central aperture, a first rotatable cutter member engaging said cutting plate and a rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second unitary cutting assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly, said second cutting assembly comprising a second cutting plate, a second cutter member engaging said cutting plate, means to secure said second cutting plate and said second cutter member in fixed relative position and a second spindle member protruding from said unitary assembly and engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

'7. Dry shaving apparatus comprising a first cutting assembly comprising a housing member, a first cutting plate mounted on said housing and having an annular cutting surface and a central cup-shaped cavity, said cutting plate being provided with a central threaded aperture at the cavity portion thereof, a first rotatable cutter member engaging said cutting plate, a rotatable spindle member engaging said cutter member and having the axis thereof coincident with said central aperture, and a second cutting assembly detachably coupled to said first cutting assembly, said second cutting assembly comprising a hollow cylindrical member having at one end an outwardly extending bearing portion provided with external threads engaging said threaded aperture and having at the other end thereof a second cutting plate, a second cutter member positioned within said cylindrical member and engaging said second cutting plate and a second spindle member protruding from said bearing portion and engaging said rotatable spindle for actuating said second cutter member.

KAREL REINOUT HOFLAND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

